COVER STORY Hotter than a firecracker—that, of course, is Karen McDougal, Miss December 1997 and our newly crowned 1998 Playmate of the Year. Our celebratory cover was produced by West Coast Photo Editor Marilyn Grabowski and photographed
by Stephen Wayda. The styling was done by Jennifer Tutor, with hair and makeup
by Alexis Vogel. Our patriotic Rabbit, who never lets a parade pass him by, rallies around the flag. We ask you: Is this a great country, or what?
5 PLAYBILL
11 DEAR PLAYBOY
15 PLAYBOY AFTER HOURS
17 MOVIES BRUCE WILLIAMSON
22 VIDEO
24 MUSIC
26 WIRED
28 BOOKS
32 HEALTH & FITNESS
34 MEN ASA BABER
36 WOMEN CYNTHIA HEIMEL
38 MONEY MATTERS CHRISTOPHER BYRON
41 MANTRACK
49 THE PLAYBOY ADVISOR
53 THE PLAYBOY FORUM
63 PLAYBOY INTERVIEW: JERRY SPRINGER—candid conversation
74 MAGIC JOHNSON—article SCOTT HOWARD-COOPER
78 THE NEWTON GIRLS—pictorial
84 THE FACTS OF DEATH—fiction RAYMOND BENSON
88 SWIMSUITS—fashion HOLLIS WAYNE
94 20 QUESTIONS: CRAIG KILBORN
96 GET LOST—electronics
98 SPEED SEDUCTION—article PETER ALSON
102 DRIVING AMBITION—playboy's playmate of the month
114 PARTY JOKES—humor
116 ROCK'S BOOK OF LOVE—advice GAVIN EDWARDS
118 KEN GRIFFEY JR.—playboy profile TOM BOSWELL
122 SECRETS OF THE SWING—modern living LARRY OLMSTED
125 LITTLE BLUE MIRACLE—article CARL SHERMAN
128 "PUT MR. SPIELBERG ON HOLD"—article STEVE POND
130 PLAYMATE OF THE YEAR—pictorial
150 WHERE & HOW TO BUY
179 PLAYMATE NEWS
183 PLAYBOY ON THE SCENE